 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
8 am breakfast Shell Cafe
Seacrest provides a buffet breakfast for their guests. Nice fresh fruit, breads, eggs, yogurt, cereal, etc. Although early, families and teens are up and digging into the vitals. Looks good but we prefer less frenetics at this time of day, so with orange and banana in hand we head off to nearby Shell Cafe to be served a sit-down breakfast, read the paper and chat with locals. The Shell, open all day, is local night spot with live music most evenings. We enjoy a full and hearty breakfast at a leisurely pace in a quiet dining room.
10 am walk on beach + explore + dip in pool
The day is clear and warm so a beach walk is a good way to start. Easy to study the exposed cliff geology on descent to the beach. Erosion visible at bottom of the cliffs but appears to be slow. Further up the coast the sea has created caves and arches but none here. Sand solidly packed and easy to walk on. Few shells. Last night’s high tide left puddles behind which kids are using as a pool. Lots of dog walkers, runners and strollers but the beach is so vast it seems very empty. Spectacular.
11:30 am tour The Cliffs Resort
Less than 10 minutes north. We considered staying here and want to see what we might have missed. Clearly upscale, elegant but casual; the lobby, large with sophisticated architecture and furnishings, immediately sets the tone. We are not disappointed when Caroline Whittaker, Sales Mgr, graciously shows us around. With combined resources from three local families the hotel’s 160 rooms were remodeled in 2009 to quality standards. Of three typical rooms we viewed, the stand out favorite is the largest and most well-appointed suite featuring a private oceanfront balcony with spectacular panoramic water views, a large open floor plan and a separate, over-sized seating area, an Italian marble bath with a whirlpool tub or Jacuzzi and a pillow-top king sized bed. Standard rooms are smaller but equally elegant.
1 pm lunch Marisol at The Cliffs restaurant
The Marisol, in a building adjacent to the resort, is not serving lunch today. The dining rooms are gracious and intimate. Menus for dinner and Sunday Brunch display the same attention to detail as does the resort. Marisol: food from local fields, freshly caught local fish, prized list of hottest local vintages, kitchen under direction of Chef de Cuisine, Gregg Wangard. Absolutely fine dining!
The small cafe/bar is open for lunch. Interior is nautically themed, patio faces the ocean and lawns on one side, pool and fountains on the other. Our corner table offers views of everything. We study choices with a good cold brew in hand. Pismo Clam Chowder (grilled sourdough), YES. Wild Rocket Salad – Grand Marnier poached pear, Hook’s Paradise Blue Cheese, Thyme Dressing, YES. Local fish sandwich, with tomato, romaine, lemon remoularde sauce, onion rings and sweet potato fries, YES.
5 pm summer wine tasting music reception SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel roof
Tonight, hotel guests are invited to the rooftop patio for free wine tasting, snacks, music and light 15 minute massage. A group has already gathered and settled into lounges. The clear sky is brilliantly deep blue, set off by the orange umbrellas. The view through the glass and the view reflected in the glass give a merged, two for one look at the surroundings. People come and go but a core group stays throughout to enjoy the music. A little girl, inspired to dance and twirl, entertains us with her enthusiastic response to the rhythms.
7 pm see Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville show
Cabaret tables with sawdust on the floor and honky-tonk piano. Our show includes a wonderful vaudeville revue full of song, dance, and comedy. Professional performers from all over the United States come to present top-notch productions of great classic comedies, musicals and melodramas. Lots of “not-to-be missed” fun for everyone! We leave entertained, relaxed, energized.
stay SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel
Love being in this room with a VIEW. Grab hot shower, bundle in thick terry and eat the rest of the cherry pie. Finally, curl up in the lovely linens.
Photos
change automatically – touch thumbnail or number for specific image
Recent Comments